David Bergeron, acting assistant secretary for postsecondary education, will participate in three events in Texas on Thursday, Feb. 28.
At 9:00 a.m. CT in San Antonio, Bergeron will take part in a panel discussion, entitled “U.S. Support for International Collaboration,” at the 10th International Conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). He will discuss U.S. Department of Education initiatives that promote cross-cultural alliances, including the Obama Administration’s First in the World proposal that aims to improve college completion, particularly for minority and low-income students.
At 2:00 p.m. CT p.m. in Austin at the University of Texas, Bergeron will participate in a panel discussion with students and university administrators on college affordability and transparency, and efforts to increase college graduation. Hosted by Senior Vice Provost David Laude and moderated by Kedra Ishop, director of admissions, the panel also includes Tom Melecki, director of student financial services, and two current students. A question and answer session will follow the discussion.
At 4:00 p.m. CT, Bergeron will hold a student roundtable in Austin, this time with about 20 11th and 12th graders attending Akins High School. Students will discuss their post-high school plans for college, or career, and how well they’ve prepared through academics and gaining knowledge about their choices, college costs, and financial aid opportunities. Bergeron will discuss federal student aid and consumer tools—like the College Scorecard and Financial Aid Shopping Sheet—that can help them in their efforts. These resources provide the critical information needed to help students and families make informed decisions about where to attend postsecondary education.